Clasp.



F. C. OSMERS.

CLASP;

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 2a, 1911.

1,044,686, Patented Nov. 19, 1912.

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FRANK C. OSIVIERS, OF HAWORTH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO OSMERS-DOUGHERTYCOMPNY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

CLASP.

Specification of Letters ratent.

Patented Nov. 19, 1912.

Application filed I une 28, 1911. Serial No. 635,815.

. ful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to a clasp for collars, belts, bracelets and likearticles, the obiect being to provide a flexible connection which willpermit a range of movement between the parts of the clasp to avoidbreaking the clasp or the connection with the collar, belt or bracelet.

The invention will be understood by ref- -erence to the accompanyingdrawings in which- Figure l is a front view of a collar having a claspembodying my invention, the parts being shown in normal position; Fig. 2a front view of the clasp distended; Fig. 3 a front view showing theparts of the clasp separated; and F ig. 4 a section on the plane of theline 4-4 of Fig. l.

Similar reference numerals indicate similar parts in the several views.l For the purpose of illustration l have selected a collar or neck-piecemade up of strands of y beads or pearls. These are strung as usual andthe several strands are secured by their ends to bars 2 and 3. rlheseparable parts of the clasp comprise a tubular member 4 closed at itslower end and having a longitudinal slot 5, and a member 6 split for aportion of its length and adapted to be inserted into member 4. Theobject of splitting the member 6 is to provide a spring catch which willfirmly hold the two members together in their assembled relation. To theside of member 4 is secured an ear 7 from which projects a headed pin 8,said pin passing loosely through an opening in the bar 3. .0n the sideof the member 6 is secured a similar ear 9 from which projects a headedpin 10 which passes loosely through an opening in the bar 2. Theears 7and 9 have a longitudinal opening through., which pass, respectively,leaf springs ll and l2, the ends ofsaid springs being retained by ears13 atv the lower and upper ends of the bars 2 and 3, the ends of' saidsprings being turned over as shown, to preventtheir escape.

'When the device, is to be clasped, the split `n iember 6 is slid intothe member 4 and is engaged thereby as shown in Figs'. l, 2 and 4. Whenthe parts are in their assembled relation the friction exerted by thesplit head of the member 6 against the interior of the member 4, willprevent separation of 'the two members. To withdraw the member 6 it isonly necessary to press together the split sections by gripping theprojecting head 14 of the member 6.

The purpose of the springs 1l, and their mode of attachment, is topermit an elongaton of the collar without placing an undue V strain uponthe connection between the ends of the strands and the bars 2 and 3.This is particularly desirable in a collar of this class in which thestrands are composed of pearls, as the breakage of a strand may re* sultin loss of the pearls. The device shown has a further advantage that it.permits the collar to fit the neck closely by allowing the top or bottomto be extended when there is a strain upon one section and not at theother. rlhat is, in practice there may be a strain upon the top strandsand not upon the lower strands. In such case the yielding character ofthe clasp permits the parts to separate without danger of breaking.

While I have described vthe speciiic application of my invention to acollar or like device made up of separate strands, l do not desire to belimited to such application as the clasp shown is capable of use inconnection with collars or belts of fabric or leather, or of use inconnection with bracelets or like articles.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis l. A clasp for collars, belts, bracelets and like articles comprisingseparable members, bars on the ends of the article to which the clasp isto be attached, springs carried by said members adapted to normally pullthe separable members and bars together, a slidable connection betweensaid springs and said bars, and means for insuring the non-separation ofthe springs from the bars.

2. A clasp for collars, belts, bracelets and like articles comprisingseparable members, bars on the ends of the article to which the clasp isto be attached, springs connecting said members and said bars and adapted to normally pull the separable members and bars together, and meansto permit a limited sliding connection between said members and barstogether, and means for springs and said bars.

3. A clasp for collars, belts, bracelets and bers.

like articles comprising separable members,

f bars on the ends of the article to which the clasp is to be attached,ears on each of said members at the upper and lower ends of said bars,yieldable members 'passing freely through openings in said earsconnecting the said members and bars, said yieldable members normallypulling the separable limiting the yield of said yieldable mem- Intestimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

* FRANK C. OsMERs.

Witnesses:

CHAB. O. HAIBLE, LOUISE WERNER.

